September 2015
John
Burke
,
RN, CMSRN
Surgical
CHI Franciscan Health - Harrison Medical Center: Bremerton and Silverdale
Bremerton
,
WA
United States
My father was recentlyadmitted to Harrison Medical Center in preparation for a kidney stone blockage surgery.After a day or so of care, it became apparent that my father's health was deteriorating. To make sure he was in good enough shape to survive surgery, his cardiac doctor was contacted to review his last stress test results. Harrison Medical Center on-call doctors were also constantly reviewing his case several times daily. Even with all of this extra attention, Dad's condition continued to decline. He was becoming more distressed each day, but it was decided that the surgery should proceed.
The next afternoon came and transportation was due to arrive shortly to take Dad to surgery. Everything was a go; everyone had signed off for the surgery, but Dad started complaining about chest and arm pain.
Dad's attending nurse was John. John was well aware of my Dad's continuing issues and was quietly monitoring him closely along with all of his other responsibilities for his other patients. John knew that Dad was in some sort of distress and attempted to reach Harrison's doctors to inform them of his observations. At the same time, a new patient was beingdelivered
to the same room as Dad's. It would have been easy for John to become frustrated, but he was steadfast in his conviction that there was a serious cardiac issue or that something was not right. He insisted on telling the doctors that Dad was having chest and arm pain. Dad's surgery wasstopped.
Cardiac monitoring began, and Dad was taken to the cardiac unit before being rushed to surgery. Even with the recentpositive stress test results, the surgeons found there was an 85 percent blockage in one of the arteries. A stint was placed in the artery and, three days later, a large stint was placed to isolate the kidney stone and allow fluids to flow again.
I know it's a team effort to care for patients. My father received excellent, expert care while he was at Harrison. With that said, it is mine and my family's belief that your team's MVP for the day was John. Compassionate care and proper trainingled John to make all the correct decisions that day. If Dad would have been sent to surgery, it is entirely possible that he would have had a cardiac event onthe surgical table.
My family is extremely grateful for the actions of John and the entireHarrison physicianand nursing staff for saving the life of my father. John, thank you for "standing in the gap," and listening to my father as he relayed information about his chest and arm pain. Your actions saved a life that day.
The next afternoon came and transportation was due to arrive shortly to take Dad to surgery. Everything was a go; everyone had signed off for the surgery, but Dad started complaining about chest and arm pain.
Dad's attending nurse was John. John was well aware of my Dad's continuing issues and was quietly monitoring him closely along with all of his other responsibilities for his other patients. John knew that Dad was in some sort of distress and attempted to reach Harrison's doctors to inform them of his observations. At the same time, a new patient was beingdelivered
to the same room as Dad's. It would have been easy for John to become frustrated, but he was steadfast in his conviction that there was a serious cardiac issue or that something was not right. He insisted on telling the doctors that Dad was having chest and arm pain. Dad's surgery wasstopped.
Cardiac monitoring began, and Dad was taken to the cardiac unit before being rushed to surgery. Even with the recentpositive stress test results, the surgeons found there was an 85 percent blockage in one of the arteries. A stint was placed in the artery and, three days later, a large stint was placed to isolate the kidney stone and allow fluids to flow again.
I know it's a team effort to care for patients. My father received excellent, expert care while he was at Harrison. With that said, it is mine and my family's belief that your team's MVP for the day was John. Compassionate care and proper trainingled John to make all the correct decisions that day. If Dad would have been sent to surgery, it is entirely possible that he would have had a cardiac event onthe surgical table.
My family is extremely grateful for the actions of John and the entireHarrison physicianand nursing staff for saving the life of my father. John, thank you for "standing in the gap," and listening to my father as he relayed information about his chest and arm pain. Your actions saved a life that day.